The foodservice industry continues to progress and evolve, with new trends and best practices emerging around the world. With advances in data, brands are now able to track customer preferences and behavior to refine their menus more effectively than ever before. For suppliers, selling to merchants and restaurateurs has become an increasingly complex proposition, with competition at an all-time high.
At the same time, the industry requires its providers to not only stay on top of the latest trends and technology, but also deliver products and services that are cost-effective and consumer-focused. This means that the foodservice industry requires suppliers to stay up-to-date with their data in order to make informed decisions and prompt their operations to the cutting edge. How can restaurant tech providers leverage this data to chart a competitive course? To find out, let’s take a closer look at the latest foodservice market trends for 2023.
Growth in Ethnic Cuisines
Restaurants and food service establishments are increasingly incorporating a variety of international flavors into their menus. 2023 has seen an enormous surge in the number of restaurants offering dishes from places like India, Thailand, and other parts of Asia, as well as Latin American eateries reflecting Central and South American flavors. In a similarly international vein, there has also been an uptick in menu especially including Israeli dishes like falafel, shawarma, and felafel.
Rise of Grab-and-Go
The days of sit-down meals are gradually transitioning to more grab-and-go options. Brands are providing a wider and varied selection of food items to accommodate the shift in customer behavior toward convenience and speed.
The trend towards moveable consumption has also seen an increase in the popularity of meal subscription programs. Meal subscription programs enable customers to stock their fridge with predetermined meals that can be heated up and consumed quickly. Furthermore, food delivery services such as UberEats, Postmates and DoorDash are becoming a more widely accepted option for customers to enjoy restaurant-quality meals from the comfort of their own home.
Centralization of Distribution Resources
Distribution and order management have become essential to the foodservice industry, with the emergence of more restaurants, more menus, and more delivery services. Restaurants are constantly managing their inventory andreekagis staying up-to-date on the latest supply chain trends to maximize efficiency.
Distribution companies, meanwhile, are using automated software and tracking systems to process orders faster, allowing restaurants to optimize their proteins and produce supply. Smart distribution strategies enable restaurant chains to streamline their ordering processes and better control their bottom lines.
Triple Bottom Line Fiscal Responsibility
With environmentalism on the rise, restaurants are taking notice and implementing sustainability strategies in their businesses. For instance, eateries have begun cutting down on plastic waste by utilizing reusable containers, reusable cutlery, and biodegradable plates. This reflects a new focus on a “triple bottom line” approach – one focused on fiscal responsibility, social responsibility, and sustainable adaptation.
At the same time, more food establishments are turning to local vendors and farms for their ingredients. Consumers are increasingly aware of where their food comes from and are willing to support local vendors over big scraps. Restaurants are slowly catching up and embracing sustainability initiatives to stay on top of consumer demand.
Innovations in Restaurant Technology
Restaurant technology solutions continue to revolutionize the industry, with countless new tools arriving in 2023. Software solutions are helping establishments simplify their ordering processes, manage their menus, track customer preferences, and generate valuable insights for their operations.
From the consumer side, restaurant technology has also offered an array of customer-facing solutions, including mobile apps, social media tools, and loyalty programs. For restaurant tech providers, this means catering to the needs of customers more effectively.
